Best Stress Fighting Foods
Dark Chocolate
High in flavonoids, which are lauded for their relaxing properties (chamomile tea is another great source), chocolate also contains phenethylamine, a chemical that enhances your mood. The darker the chocolate, the more healthy substances you’re getting in your diet, so look for bars that are 70 percent cacao or higher.
Blueberries
Their antioxidants counteract the effects of stress hormones like cortisol on your body.
Avocados
The monounsaturated fats and potassium in avocados help lower blood pressure. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that one of the best ways to lower blood pressure is to consume enough potassium (avocados have more than bananas).
Salmon
Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids—abundant in fish like salmon—can help reverse stress symptoms by boosting serotonin levels, and that an omega-3–rich diet can also help suppress the production of the anxiety hormones cortisol and adrenaline.
Oranges
A German study in Psychopharmacology found that vitamin C helps reduce stress and return blood pressure and cortisol to normal levels after a stressful situation. Vitamin C is also well-known for boosting your immune system
Spinach
Studies show that magnesium, which you’ll find in leafy greens like spinach, improves your body’s response to stress.
